LOCOMOTOR DISABILITY by NIRMALA VENKATESWARAN & VOLUNTEERS OF VIDYA VRIKSHAH

INTRODUCTION
Locomotor Disability refers to the limitations of the movements of our body, caused by diseases,injury, any deformity in the bones and muscles or any injury of the nerves, the spinal cords or the brain.

CAUSES
Locomotor Disabilities may arise from the following conditions : (Links are provided later for details on these)
1. Congenital Deformities
2. Cerebral Palsy
3. Paraplegia - Paralysis
4. Stroke - Quadriplegia
5. Polio
6. Amputation

THE FOLLOWING TESTS WILL DETERMINE WHETHER A PERSON HAS A LOCOMOTOR HANDICAP OR NOT 1. Lift the arms above one's head
2. Pick up small objects lying on the floor
3. Walk a few steps.
4. Run for short spans.

Let us take these activities one by one.

(a} movement of arms, lifting them above

1. Ask the child to sit / lie down
2. Ask him to lift right arm first,above the head - Repeat with the left arm

When the child sits or lies down, make sure that

1. back is straight, while sitting
2. the bed is soft but firm.A cotton mattress
placed on the floor is preferable.
3. there is no bending of the back, when in a
lying position

RESULT

If the child cannot lift his arm, he has a defect in the arm.If the hand movements are not free and smooth,his muscles are atrophied and need attention.

(b) walking normally

1.Ask the child to stand up .
Make him walk on an even surface.
Make him walk without support.

2.Ask the child to take a few
steps. Identify whether there is
any difference while walking .

RESULT

1.If the child is unable to walk, it
indicates paralysis of the legs.

2.Walking sloppily shows that his leg
muscles are not formed properly .

We talked of paralysed limbs. Now, what is paralysis?

Exercise is essential for any child with locomotor disability whether caused by congenital deformity , polio, paralysis, cerebral palsy,stroke or amputation. Click HERE to view the exercises in detail. CLICK ON LINKS BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION ON Congenital Deformities Cerebral Palsy Paraplegia - Paralysis Stroke - Quadriplegia Polio Amputation RETURN TO LIST OF CONTENTS